January 23rd

More books are accumulating for the winter book sale to be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The count is up to over 3,500 books to be offered. In addition, there will be over 200 music CDs, over 50 puzzles (all $1 or less), a few board games, more than 20 cake pans (priced $0.50-$1), and at least 100 stuffed animals ($0.25-$0.50). If you are doing some winter cleaning, we still have room for your donated books, DVDs, CDs and gift items.

The next early out program will be on Thursday, Feb. 2. The funny family film about Mr. Popper and his many penguins (rated PG) will be showing in the meeting room. Movie time will be from 1 until 3 p.m. Fun and free early-out activities are for all Solon students. There is no registration. Children under the age of 10 attending the movie need to be picked up by parents or caregivers at 3 p.m.

To supplement the on-line language program, “Tell Me More,” the library will be sponsoring a weekly Spanish conversation group beginning on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. until noon in the meeting room. Ann Valenta, retired Spanish teacher, will be monitoring the first meeting and assist in setting up a format and future meeting schedule. These sessions will be for on-line participants desiring to practice speaking the language and not lessons for learning the language.

The first “Final Fridays Cafe” will be Friday, Jan. 27, in the meeting room of the library. The newly formed Teen Advisory Board (TAB) will host “Final Fridays Cafe” at the library for high school and middle school students on the last Friday of the month from January through May.

The passing of long time library supporter and good friend, Don Ochs, has brought back many memories and caused fellow library supporters to reminisce fondly. As well as being instrumental in building the new library, Don served on the Library Board of Trustees and the Library Foundation Board. The library would not be where it is today without him. After the Solon Library Foundation board meeting on Thursday, Jan.

“The moon above the eastern wood shone at its full; the hill-range stood transfigured in the silver flood…” John Greenleaf Whittier.
The Solon Public Library has a new display dedicated to the Solon Garden Club. “Snow-Bound– The Garden in Winter” depicts a winter scene with a frozen garden at the edge of an icy woods. A silver moon shines its cold light on the frost flowers and thistles as the wind battles through the catalpa trees. For a moment the crystal air is fanned by the wide silent wings of a snowy owl.

By B. Adam Burke
Solon Economist
SOLON– Safety concerns are the top reason the Solon High School will now require student vehicles to be registered to use the high school parking lot.
Principal Nathan Wear said the change in policy comes in response to some accidents caused by students driving the wrong way.
According to the parking regulations for the school, unsafe student drivers will have their parking privileges revoked.

SWISHER– The Swisher American Legion will hold a “Chili Cook-off” on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5. The entry fee is $5, which includes participants’ all-you-can-eat chili. Entries must arrive at the Swisher American Legion by 2 p.m. One entry per person; one crock-pot per entry. Call Ron for more information at 319-857-4315.

SOLON– The Optimist Club of Solon will hold basketball contests, including dribbling, passing and shooting, on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 12:30 p.m., at the Solon Middle School gym.
The categories are ages eight through 13, boys and girls divisions, first, second and third place awards to each age group, along with boys and girls champion awards.

SOLON– All boys and girls ages 10 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition for the 2012 Knights of Columbus (KC) free throw championship. The local KC Council 12129 competition will be held on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 1 p.m. at Solon Middle School.
The KC free throw championship is sponsored annually, with winners progressing through local, district and state competitions. All boys and girls 10 to 14 years old are eligible to participate and will compete in their respective age divisions.